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Lip Lift Overview

Redefine Your Smile with a Lip Lift

A well-proportioned upper lip is essential to a balanced, youthful, and expressive face. At Cheng Plastic Surgery we perform lip lift surgery in San Mateo to elevate and refine the upper lip, enhancing your lip contour, shortening the space between the nose and mouth (philtrum), and creating a fuller, more aesthetically pleasing smile.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting alternative to fillers or want to restore definition and youthful curvature to your lips, a lip lift offers an elegant and permanent solution—designed with surgical precision by double board-certified facial plastic surgeons Drs. Jacqueline and Elbert Cheng.

What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a minor surgical procedure that shortens the philtrum—the vertical space between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip. This creates a more lifted, defined, and balanced lip appearance. Unlike temporary fillers, a lip lift delivers lasting enhancement by structurally reshaping your lip anatomy.

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Lip Lift Before & After

woman smiling

Why Consider a Lip Lift?

As we age, the philtrum tends to elongate, causing the upper lip to droop or roll inward, making the mouth look heavier or more aged. A lip lift corrects this subtly and naturally. Lip lift benefits:

  • Shortens a long philtrum for improved facial proportion
  • Increases upper lip visibility and definition without filler
  • Enhances the Cupid’s bow and vermilion border
  • Minimizes lip asymmetry
  • Restores a youthful amount of tooth show at rest and when smiling
  • Offers consistent, long-lasting results
  • Avoids the overfilled or heavy look sometimes associated with repeated dermal filler use

This procedure is especially ideal for those who have used fillers in the past but want a more structural and permanent enhancement.

Am I a Candidate for a Lip Lift?

You may be a candidate for a lip lift in San Mateo if you:

  • Have a long or aged-looking philtrum (the area between the nose and the upper lip)
  • Desire more visible upper lip volume and definition
  • Have lips that appear to “roll under” or thin with age
  • Want a natural-looking, long-lasting alternative to fillers
  • Are in good general health and are a non-smoker
  • Do not have autoimmune or healing complications

If your philtrum is already short or if you show too much upper gum when smiling, our surgeons may recommend alternate techniques to avoid overcorrection.

What to Expect During Your Lip Lift Procedure

Though the procedure is relatively quick—about 30 to 60 minutes—it requires exacting precision and deep knowledge of facial aesthetics. At Cheng Plastic Surgery, your treatment is performed with both surgical skill and artistic attention. Procedure overview:

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia or IV sedation for comfort

Incision placement

Hidden just beneath the nostrils along the base of the nose

Tissue removal

A precise strip of skin is removed to shorten the philtrum

Sutures

Skin is delicately closed and refined for a smooth, nearly invisible result

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Lip Lift Recovery

Most patients experience minimal downtime and manageable discomfort.

Recovery timeline:

  • Swelling and mild bruising peak in the first 2–3 days
  • Return to work or light activities in 5–7 days
  • Sutures are removed in about one week
  • Scars are well-hidden under the nose and fade beautifully over time
  • Laser touch-up may be offered at 6 weeks for optimal blending, if needed

We’ll see you for regular follow-up visits and ensure your healing is smooth and your results are just as you envisioned.

two books and a plant on a glass table

Why Choose Cheng Plastic Surgery for Your Lip Lift?

The lip lift may be a small procedure, but it requires exceptional detail, facial expertise, and an artist’s eye. At Cheng Plastic Surgery, lip aesthetics are approached with the same mastery and compassion we bring to every facial surgery.

What makes us different:

  • Double board-certified facial plastic surgeons
  • Deep specialization in facial symmetry, lip shape, and proportion
  • Expertise in achieving natural, elegant outcomes for diverse faces
  • A fully accredited, private surgical suite in San Mateo
  • Personalized, high-touch care before, during, and after surgery

We are honored to be trusted by patients throughout the Bay Area—and known for delivering refined, confident results that harmonize the lips with the entire face.

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Begin Your Lip Rejuvenation Journey

A lip lift in San Mateo at Cheng Plastic Surgery is a small procedure that can make a significant difference, elevating not just your upper lip, but your overall expression and confidence.

Schedule your private consultation in San Mateo to explore what’s possible with this precise, powerful enhancement.

Lip Lift FAQs

Will there be a visible scar after a lip lift?

Incisions are placed along the natural contours and shadows at the base of the nose (such as in a subnasal or bullhorn lift) to minimize visibility. While all surgical procedures result in a scar, it typically fades into a faint, barely noticeable line as it fully heals.

What are the risks or side effects associated with a lip lift?

Common temporary side effects include swelling, bruising, soreness, and tightness around the mouth. Rare surgical risks include infection, noticeable scarring, asymmetry, or temporary changes in sensation around the incision site.

Can I combine a lip lift with other facial procedures?

Yes, a lip lift is frequently paired with other surgical or non-surgical treatments, such as a facelift, rhinoplasty, lip filler, or skin resurfacing, to achieve a cohesive facial rejuvenation.

When can I return to eating and speaking normally?

You can eat soft foods and speak immediately after the procedure, though your upper lip may feel stiff or tight for the first few days. It is best to avoid wide jaw movements or chewy foods for about a week.

When will my sutures be removed?

Sutures are typically removed in the office 5 to 7 days following the procedure, after which you can begin applying recommended scar care treatments.

Will a lip lift change how my smile looks?

A lip lift exposes more of your upper teeth when your mouth is relaxed and when you smile, often creating a brighter, more youthful smile without altering your natural facial expressions.

How soon after a lip lift can I wear lip makeup or lipstick?

Once the incision has fully closed and any stitches are removed—usually around 7 to 10 days post-procedure—you can gently apply makeup to the lip area, avoiding direct application over raw or unhealed skin.

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